HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 10, 1972 /lvcEJN1
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PICKERING TOLNSHIP MUSEUM BOARD 1/72
A meeting of the Pickering Town-
.. ship Museum Board was held on
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY the TENTH,
1972 at EIGHT p.m. at the
Municipal building
PRESENT : Mr. H. Cook,
Mrs. D. Earle
Mr. R. Miller
Mr. llillic. Clark
Mr. R. Freeman
Mr. B. Davidge
Mr. W. McGee
Mr. D. McLean
Mr. J. Alma
N. C. Marshall, Secretary
1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN-
Moved by Mrs. Earle, seconded by Mr. Miller that Mr.
Harry Cook be appointed chairman of the Pickering Town-
ship Museum Board for the year 1972. Moved by Mr. McLean,
seconded by Mr. McGee that nominations close. Carried
unanimously. Mr. Cook assumed the chair. The chairman
welcomed the new members to the museum board and thanked
the board in general for his ,appointment.
2. MINUTES-
On motion of Mr. LIcLean seconded by Mrs. Earle the minutes
of the meeting of December the 9th were approved subject to
a check on the reference to the school of Mr. Lye who is
understood to be associated the Sir John A. MacDonald
public school .
3. ACCOUNTS-
.- On motion of Mr. Clark, seconded by Mr. Davidge the follow-
ing accounts were approved:
Mrs. Marr $ 24.02
Ferris Textiles 66.48
R. Miller 97.10
Clifford Postill 305 .94
Andy Ramsay 192.50
R. Miller 250.00
DX Oil 35 .13
Robert Batty - saw 100.00
Russel Pilkey - glass 100.76
R. Miller - heater & repairs 99.42
4. % INTER WORK'S SCHEME-
The secretary advised that he had submitted and received
approval under the winter works incentive plan for assist-
ance in the restoration of the historic buildings at the
museum property. The grant would cover 100% of the cost
of eight weeks work for one carpenter, two labours, and
two painters for a total salary grant of $3923.00 together
with material and supervisory costs of $980.00. He
emphasized that the work must be completed by May the 31st
and for this reason final plans for the •lork to be carried
out must be finalized by the first of April at the very
latest.
In this connection Mr. Freeman wondered whether or not the
board was prepared to support a motion encouraging the
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participation of students in preparing an inventory of
historic buildings within the municipality under the
auspices of the historic sites committee of the provincial
government. This could be carried out in conjunction with
the proposed federal youth incentive program. In the
discussion that followed the suggestion, some members
expressed the opinion that this was more properly a
function of the historical society and that the museum had
more than enough to keep itself occupied at the present
time. It was felt by other members that the endorsation
of such a project by the museum board would add impetus to
it and perhaps give the historical society a much needed
project in which to become involved.
On motion of Mr. Freeman, seconded by Mrs. Earle and
carried, the museum board went on record as supporting
and encouraging the completion of an inventory of
historic buildings in the township and recommends that the
historical society embark upon such a project possibly
under the auspices of the federal youth incentive program.
5. FINANCIAL REPORT-
The board had for their consideration the year end state-
ment for the museum activities including the 1972 budget
allocations for comparison purposes. The secretary advised
that council had agreed to a grant of $6675 .00 for the
year 1971. The board members suggested several changes
to the various accounts.
On motion of Mrs. Earle seconded by Mr. McLean and carried
it was agreed that provision be made in the current year's
budget for an honorarium of $250.00 for the administrator.
On motion of Mr. Freeman seconded by Mrs. Earle that $25.00
be transferred to account number 13 conventions.
Some of the members inquired concerning the possibility
of an increse in the amount allocated to account number 54,
antique purchases. It was pointed out that the contingency
fund could be used for this purpose should it be necessary.
In addition it was suggested that possibly the historical
society might be interested in covering the purchase of a
specific item as a donation.
6. BOARD OF EDUCATION - REQUEST FOR LOAN OF SCHOOL DESKS-
Birchcliff Heights public school in Scarborough will be
•„ borrowing the school desks presently in storage at the
museum to assist them in the celebration of the golden
anniversary of the school . Arrangements had been completed
through the secretary and the administrator for this loan.
The secretary explained that such action had been taken in
the past with favourable publicity results. He noted that
the museum was becoming more and more popular with the
metro area and the museum was getting frequent requests for
assistance in displays of this nature.
7. SCHOOL TOURS-
The secretary mentioned the number of delightful letters
received from the grade five students of the Vaughan
Willard public school following their visit to the museum
in November. They were apparently under the impression
that council was not lending too much support to the
museum activity and each student had on his own initiative
sat down and written a letter to the clerk urging council
to increase their support of the facility and voicing their
enthusiasm for the museum property in general. The
secretary had replied to the students clarifying the mis-
understanding as far as council 's involvement goes and
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would attempt to get the letters for the next board meeting
in order that they might examine them.
8. ADMINISTRATORS-
On motion of Mr. McLean seconded by Mr. Clark and carried
unanimously, Mr. Robert Miller was reappointed as admini-
strator of the museum for the year 1972. The chairman and
members of the board voiced their appreciation for the
untiring efforts of Mr. Miller in connection with the
museum and offered their appreciation to him for the many
hours that he put in.
9. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT-
Mr. Miller reported at length on the activities of the
museum during the year 1971. Highlights of the report
include:
1. Harold Smith and Ernie Carruthers had completed the
underground wiring to all of the buildings on the
property with the exception of the south barn and the
church shed.
2. The harness shop has been finished and the exterior of
the Brougham central hotel completed. This includes
new windows, new plaster, the repair of the original
front doors, new siding and new steps. Part of the wood
used was purchased from Bill Wood of Uxbridge while
some of the lumber used on the hotel was made from the
logs donated by the county of Ontario which were sawn
by Walt Hope of Goodwood. The new windows in the hotel
were made by Mr. Miller and glazed by Russ Pilkey.
The hotel will require inside trim, a new stairway,
repairs to the floors and a fair amount of plastering.
3. Blacksmith Shop. Mr. Bill Clark had set up an excellent
display in the blacksmith shop and had also arranged for
the installation of the stairway to the upper loft.
4. Mrs. Gordon Duncan has checked the articles in the log
house, collins house, and the cole house and confirmed
that the period of these homes should be 1830, 1850, 1860
respectively. She suggested that the contents of these
buildings be changed before opening this year to reflect
the correct date.
5. Mrs. Marr and Mrs. Ebiernacki of Bayridges have com-
pleted all of the curtains in the cole house and are
presently working on obtaining wall paper. They have
an 1862 Wilson and Wheeler sewing machine which they are
endevouring to restore with a view towards setting up
a display in the cole house showing how the machine would
have been used to sew the curtains.
6. The Housier wagon and Ocean Blend tea wagon have both
been restored.
7. Three steam engines including a 100 horsepower engine
were donated to the museum by Mr. Hodgson of Haliburtan.
The cement base for the 100 horsepower engine has been
completed.
8. A saw mill has been purchased from Mr. Robert Batty
for $100.00 and has been delivered to the museum grounds.
It will be installed south of the boiler and large engine
on the east side of the steam barn.
9 . The cole house has been completely painted both inside
and outside although the outside trim has yet to be com-
pleted. Mr. Don McLean completed the inside painting.
10. Both the hotel and the harness shop have one coat of
primer.
11 . The administrator expressed his appreciation for the
efforts expended on behalf of the museum by the secretary
and in particular his work on the pamphlet which was
handed out at history in action.
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10. NEW BUSINESS--
Following his report, the administrator showed the committee
a sample of the signs that would be used to identify the
various buildings. The signs would be on three foot
stakes and measure five inches by eight inches. He advised
that the legend sign is presently being repainted and
would indicate that guided tours are available. Mr. Miller
mentioned the fact that he has a number of books concerning
different aspects of the museum which may be of interest
particularily to the new members.
The board considered a suggestion that perhaps the new
building to be located to the rear of the school house
and housing the refreshment area could be expanded to
approximately thirty-two feet by thirty-six feet in order
J to provide a sufficiently large size to establish a
lecture area for students. This particular size would be
in accord with multiples of twelve feet which is charac-
teristic of the bents used in old buildings. It was
agreed that the administrator would discuss this matter
further with other members of the board and come up with
a firm recommendation in order that the Kiwanis would be
able to finalize plans for the building.
11. ADMISSION CHARGED-
A motion recommended by the administrator, that the ad-
mission charge for entry to the grounds be raised to a
dollar, the family maximum to two dollars and fifty cents,
4 and a student rate to fifty cents stimulated a lively
discussion. Proponents of the increase in price argued
that the public were getting far more value for the
admission price charged at the present time than warranted,
particularily in view of the availability of the guided
tours. Arguments raised against this suggested change
included the fact that an increased admission charge would
tend to discourage many people from visiting the property
at a time when some form of inducement was needed to in-
crease attendance. It was also noted that the historical
society provided guides on weekends on a free basis and
unless there was a logical reason for increasing revenue
via this method, the disadvantages might outweigh the ad-
vantages. It was also suggested that if the sole purpose
to the increase rate was to generate increased income
then possibly other methods might be better received by
the public. Put to the test the motion failed to carry
and it was agreed that the prices remain as they were in
1971 .
One of the members of the board suggested that possibly
an approach should be made to the people in charge of the
Scarborough Board of Education excursion trips to determine
whether or not they might be interested in visiting the
property as part of their field trips.
12. PARADE-
The secretary recommended that the annual parade be dis-
pensed with for the year 1972. He pointed out that it was
becoming increasingly more expensive to put on such an
event and it was painfully obvious that many of the people
that turned out to the parade did not follow it up with
a visit to the grounds.
On motion of Mrs. Earle seconded by Mr. Freeman and carried
it was agreed that the annual history in action parade be
dispensed with for the year 1972.
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13. PUBLICITY-
A general discussion took place on various forms of
publicity which could be carried out to increase attendance
at the property.
On motion of Mr. McLean seconded by Mr. Davidge it was
agreed that t e secretary write to radio station CFRB to
the attention of their public relations department to
determine whether or not the administrator might be in-
terviewed ty Mr. John Bradshaw on his Sunday morning
program or possibly Mrs. Betty Kennedy on her afternoon
program with a view to further the cause of the museum.
Having dealt with publicity in the past Mr. Ron Freeman
had three specific recommendations which he felt would
assist the museum.
(a) Amend the existing road-side sign by adding a sign
underneath it which would read "history in action and
show the date. This would be of the same style as the
existing sign.
(b) Involve the students of the township in a poster
contest whose theme would be the promotion of the museum.
These posters would be displayed in the various communities
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in the township. It was suggested that the contest might
have more positive results if the contest aspect of it
was played down and it was treated more as a project of
the curriculum.
(c) Develope a basic herb garden as part of a display
at the annual Ajax flower show to be held in April .
On motion Mr. Freeman seconded by Mrs. Earle and carried
it was agreed that the board proceed with the suggestions
innumerated above.
The importance of an active publicity campaign was stressed
and in order to get working on such a project as soon as
possible the following committee was named to carry out
this activity: Miss Green, Mrs. Earle, Mr. Davidge, and
Mr. Freeman. It was suggested that this committee invite
Mr. Barry Murkar of Pickering Village and Mrs. McKenzie
of the Brock Road to assist in the first instance with
the publicity and in the instance of Mrs. McKenzie with
the herbs.
14. DISPLAYS - MASONIC HALL-
It was agreed that the following committee be formed to
investigate, make recommendations and ultimately with the
approval of the board implement a proper display in the
masonic hall. Members are Mr. Don McLean, Mr. John Alma,
Mr. Bill Clark, Mr. William McGee.
On motion the meeting adjourned at 10 :45 p.m. ,
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15. LIST OF THINGS TO BE DONE AT THE MUSEUM 1972-
Repair the following:
a . gate saw
b. arm for capston
c. thrashing machine (Ken Hastings)
d. groundhog mill (in shop)
e. birrell cupboard (Oddfellows Hall)
f. reaper - Bill Fox (Parts Hugh Gregg)
g. automatic shingle mill
h. fix wheeled scraper (2 wheels) make one out of two
i. change axels in Houssier Wagon
j . obtain bolts or cedar blocks for shingle mill (16" long)
k. make curtains for the upstairs rooms in the Cole House
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1 . fix Jack Wilson 's cider press
m. fix doors on Bible Christian Church
n. make a sliding or folding partition in the gas barn
Lobtain planking to complete rafters in barns for
storage purposes
A number of other things must be done which include:
1 . complete the inside trim in the harness shop
2. - fix the floor in the south-west corner of the hotel
- take all shelves in store out of hotel
- take out stairway in the hotel and replace
(Art Hall may be of some assistance)
-trim all windows and doors in hotel
f - clear out all articles of hotel
L 3 . Repair the window sill in the log house
4 . Complete the booth at the back of the school
(should there be a cistern underneath it?)
5 . repair the boards on the church
6. construct a bridge over the ditch at the Cole House
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Dated
Chairman
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Secretary
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